Eyepiece High Power
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Carson MM-200 Carson Micromax LED 60X-100X LED Lighted Pocket Microscope
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DescriptionCarson MicroMax LED 60x - 100x LED LIGHTED Pocket Microscope (Batteries Included) MM-200 Lightweight and portable, the Carson MM-200 MicroMax pocket microscope is ideal for on-the-go science. The MicroMax offers a powerful 60 to 100x magnification range, making it easy to examine blood samples, bugs, and anything else that's worthy of a closer look. The microscope also includes a built-in LED light that provides a bright, clear image, along with a rubberized eyepiece for comfortable viewing. Best of all, the MicroMax fits conveniently in a jacket pocket, so you can bring it along wherever you go--whether it's a school field trip or a visit to a friend's house. Specifications Magnification: 60 to 100x Batteries: 3 SG3 button cell (included) Dimensions: 1.25 by 3.25 by 0.75 inches (W x H x D) Weight: 1.1 ounces Features
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History and Uses of Optical Microscopes
Optical microscopes use visible light and a system of lenses to magnify small samples that are usually un-seen to the bare eye. The optical microscope is the first, oldest and simples type of microscope (as opposed to the much more advanced electronic microscope). The first optical microscopes were created in the 18th century. Due to it's compact sizes, simplicity and relatively low price, the optical microscope is very popular, and can be found in use in many areas of biology. Optical microscopes mostly magnify objects for up to 1500 times.
The first optical microscopes were structured in a way that is called "the simple microscope". This structure utilizes only one pair of lenses to create a magnified image of the sample. Today, the simple structure is in use only in the magnifying glass, hand lens and the loupe.
The more advances optical microscopes, and the ones that are popular today, are what's called "compound optical microscopes". These microscopes use a system of many lenses, in order to "compound" and multiply the magnification, and therefore maximize it. The two main lens systems in an optical microscope are the objective lens (near the examined object), and the eyepiece lens (up near the eye of the scientist). Modern optical microscopes use multiple lenses both in the objective part as well as the eyepiece part.
The old optical microscopes also used a mirror to provide illumination below the object. The modern optical microscopes use a strong lamp to provide constant and strong illumination.
So what are optical microscopes used for now a days?
The main uses of compound optical microscopes include:
The examining small pieces of material, or even a smear or a squash preparation. This is due to the fact that the optical microscope uses light to pass beneath the object and enter the lenses. That's why the item is better be half-transparent. In other uses the optical microscope may be used to examine metal samples, in order to study the metal's structure.
At low power, microscopes can be used to examine small living animals and plants. At high power, they can be used to examine bacteria.
It is important to note that the vast advancement in medicinal fields and biology in general, is owed to a large extent, to the invention of the optical microscopes. For example, the way the blood flows in our body was not fully understood until the microscope made in possible to examine small blood vessels behavior.
About the Author
Alex Dale is the owner of a microscopes website called microscopes-recommended.info. Visit our site and learn all about compound microscope as well as other tips about /www.microscopes-recommended.info">light microscope.
What's better, a Meade Super Plossl, a Celestron X-cel, or a UO Ortho?
I am looking to buy a good eyepiece for looking at planets at high power. I need one that is around 5mm. I am considering a Meade Super Plossl (5.5mm), a Celestron X-cel, or a University Optics Abbe Orthoscopic. Which one will give the better image?
I think the nod would go to UO among those who know. The Celestron and Meade eyepieces can be very good, but with the exception of the 14UWA you very seldom hear talk about the Celestron and Meade offerings in the amateur community. Well OK, the ultima eyepieces from Celestron have a good rep especially the barlow. The Tak LEs are not on your list but I think the Takahashi LE series is something you might want to look at. Higher priced than your UO ortho but not sky high. Used, the Tak LEs come up regularly on Astromart for around a hundred bucks.
You might call Teton telescopes and see if any of the Super Monos are left. That is considered a "planet eyepiece." The UO is too. If it were my money and I had those three choices, it would go to UO, but with my money what in fact I purchased was a Pentax XW 5mm and a Super Monocentric. These options are, however, in the high and low 2s, respectively.
Also there is a yahoo eyepiece discussion group. I'll put it in the links.
I also always put in a word for astromart. You pay a ONE time fee of $12 and have access to a huge used market. You can pick up a used UO for about $25 less than the new priced but they tend to sell fast (which says something). There are a number of discussion groups there including one which is JUST eyepieces. That groups is VERY ACTIVE, the one on Yahoo is so-so. There are other forums on Cloudynights.com, which is free, but I can't emphasize enough how important astromart is and well worth the once-in-a-lifetime fee of $12. Cloudy Nights has used market too but it is 1/100th the size of Astromart and some people selling there got booted out of Astromart for various forms of misbehavior.
I'll put in a link to Teton telescopes too. I am not a big fan of their "overall philosophy" which is heavily biased (big surprise!) to the products they sell (I prefer other vendors like Highpoint Scientific) but they DO have the super monocentric eyepieces which come out only in very limited editions.
Most of the people who CAN'T get a super mono would go with a UO ortho.
In this price range I'm an enthusiastic supporter of the Edmund Optics RKE but their shortest focal length is 8mm.
You really want to get into a discussion forum where people can do the give-and-take without getting into this best answer nonsense. There are lots of different views and it helps to hear a bunch.
5mm is a short focal length and "best used" with a telescope that has a drive. Most dob owners would get some kind of wide field. The Baader Hyperion eyepieces are an option as are the TMB-Burgess "planetary" eyepieces--but I would get a UO over any of those choices. The Hyperions are available at OPT (oceanside photo) not astronomics; be careful, the coatings on the look-alike Stratus eyepieces by most accounts are not as good.
Oh yeah the excelsis web site has a LOT of "user and voter reviews" of equipment including eyepieces. A very useful resource even if it does have a flawed voting system.
You should be able to look up all the brands I've mentioned on the astronomics web site. It's a huge operation, but when possible, I buy from Highpoint Scientific, a nice small outfit where there is a lot of knowledge and they're not "pushing a line" like Teton.
As you spend money on eyepieces you will discover that folks will chat on and on about the nuances of all of them but the fact is that we're stuck under a big bucket of slosh called the atmosphere and there's no real wrong way to go.
Hope that helps,
GN
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 4MM DELUXE 965 inch high power telescope eyepiece  US $6.95
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Carson MM-200 Carson Micromax LED 60X-100X LED Lighted Pocket Microscope
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DescriptionCarson MicroMax LED 60x - 100x LED LIGHTED Pocket Microscope (Batteries Included) MM-200 Lightweight and portable, the Carson MM-200 MicroMax pocket microscope is ideal for on-the-go science. The MicroMax offers a powerful 60 to 100x magnification range, making it easy to examine blood samples, bugs, and anything else that's worthy of a closer look. The microscope also includes a built-in LED light that provides a bright, clear image, along with a rubberized eyepiece for comfortable viewing. Best of all, the MicroMax fits conveniently in a jacket pocket, so you can bring it along wherever you go--whether it's a school field trip or a visit to a friend's house. Specifications Magnification: 60 to 100x Batteries: 3 SG3 button cell (included) Dimensions: 1.25 by 3.25 by 0.75 inches (W x H x D) Weight: 1.1 ounces Features
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Bushnell Falcon 10x50 Wide Angle Binoculars (Black)
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DescriptionBushnell Falcon 10x50 Porro Prism Black Binoculars 133450 Handy fold-down eyecups prevent prescription glasses and sunglasses from scratching. Bushnell is the leading brand in high-performance binoculars, and the Falcon series offers powerful magnification at an economical price. Versatile, and ideal for stadium sports, bird-watching, hunting, and many other outdoor applications, the 10x50 model boasts a durable design and rubberized, abrasion-resistant finish. An InstaFocus lever provides smooth feedback, with just enough tension to fine-tune magnification, while a Porro prism and coated lenses provide sharp viewing. For those who wear eyeglasses, or sunglasses on bright days, clever fold-down eyecups protect your lenses from scratching. Specifications 10X magnification 50-millimeter lens diameter Auto focusing Porro prism 25-foot close focusing distance 27-ounce weight Nine-millimeter eye relief Five-millimeter exit pupil 300-foot field of view at 1,000 yards About Bushnell Bushnell has been the industry leader in high-performance sports optics for over 50 years. Its guiding principle is to provide high quality, reliable, and affordable sports optics products for a wide variety of applications. Bushnell products have consistently won design and performance awards from prestigious organizations, and the company's product lines enhance the enjoyment of outdoor pursuits such as spectator sports, nature study, hunting, fishing, birding, and stargazing. The company often incorporates emerging technologies that combine leading edge design with performance innovation, which has made it one of the most recognized and reputable sports optics brands in the world. Features
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Bushnell PowerView 20x50 Super High-Powered Surveillance Binoculars
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DescriptionThe Bushnell(r) Powerview(r) Series of binoculars offers you compact, streamlined designs for bright, crisp views of wherever you're exploring. Bushnell PowerView binoculars offer the best of both worlds, combining contemporary styling and design with traditional Bushnell quality and durability. This particular PowerView binocular offers a 20x magnification--among the most powerful in its class--and a 50mm objective diameter. The multicoated optics, meanwhile, guarantee superior light transmission and brightness, helping you see just about any target, whether you're searching for birds or trying to get a better view of the football field. And users will love the patented InstaFocus focusing system, which holds your subject in sharp focus with a touch of the fingertip. Additional features include a porro prism system, a nonslip rubber armor housing that absorbs shock while providing a firm grip, a neck strap, and 9mm of eye relief. Specifications: Magnification: 20x Objective lens diameter: 50mm Size class: Standard Focus system: InstaFocus Prism system: Porro Prism glass: BK-7 Lens coating: Multi Field of view @ 1,000 yards: 170 feet Close focus distance: 45 feet Exit pupil: 2.5mm Eye relief: 9mm Eyecups: Fold down Waterproof/fogproof: No Adapts to tripod: Yes Weight: 30 ounces Warranty: Limited lifetime Features
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SE Jeweler's Loupe - 30X
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DescriptionThis loupe is great for rock collectors, coin collectors, hobbyists, jewelers, and anyone else who requires distortion free magnification. Features
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Celestron 44102 400x Power Laboratory Biological Microscope
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DescriptionThe Celestron(r) 400x Laboratory Biological Microscope comes with many scientific essentials such as a diaphragm and a condenser. Its efficient charm comes in its power and precision, with 3 different objective lenses and a monocular, adjustable head that rotates from 0 to 60 degrees for comfortable viewing. Features
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AmScope 40x-1000x All-metal Student Cordless LED Field Biological Microscope with Optical Glass Lenses
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DescriptionThis biological microscope comes with an LED illumination powered by either three AA batteries or wall power supply. It is specially designed for both indoor and outdoor applications. It is portable and can be taken out to field sites. It comes with a 45 degree inclined monocular head with locked-in eyepiece, a 110V-4.5V plug transformer, full optical glass elements, and solid metal body. It offers five levels of magnification, 40X, 100X, 250X, 400X and 1000X. It is an excellent instrument for elementary and middle school students to learn science. It is an ideal home school or family microscope. This microscope come brand new in its original box. Its retail value is more than $450. Features
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Tasco Essentials 8x21 Binocular (Black)
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DescriptionThe Tasco 165RB is a 8 x 21mm Essentials Roof Prism Binocular. It is perfect for giving to children, throwing in the glove box of a car or taking with you when you don't want to worry about your investment. This ultra-light binocular offers outstanding compact performance with rugged, rubber armor for hiking, backpacking or bicycle touring. Features
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Celestron SkyMaster Giant 15x70 Binoculars with Tripod Adapter
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DescriptionCelestron and ;s SkyMaster Series of large aperture binoculars are a phenomenal value for high performance binoculars ideal for astronomical viewing or for terrestrial (land) use - especially over long distances. Each SkyMaster model features high quality BAK-4 prisms and multi-coated optics for enhanced contrast. Celestron has designed and engineered the larger SkyMaster models to meet the special demands of extended astronomical or terrestrial viewing sessions. The 15x70 version is one of the most popular models in the series. It offers serious large aperture light gathering in an affordable and reasonably lightweight configuration. Binoculars come in a wide range of shapes and sizes these days, and an even wider range of prices. It's easy to spend less than $100 or more than $500 for what may appear to be, at least outwardly, comparable models. While they may look the same, they are probably quite different on the inside. Recently, the binocular market has seen a flood of giant binoculars at prices that were unheard of just a few years ago. In general, giant binoculars are defined as those that magnify the view 10 times or more and have 70-mm or larger front (objective) lenses. It used to be that the least expensive giant binoculars cost in excess of $150, even $200. All that changed not long ago, when the bottom fell out of the price cellar. Now, several companies import giant binoculars that sell for half that, or less. Celestron's 15x70 SkyMaster binoculars are one of the leaders in the low-price giant binocular arena. They certainly sound good on paper. The SkyMasters include multicoated optics and BaK-4 internal prisms, two features that promise brighter, better images, and key points to look for when judging a pair of binoculars. They also come with an adapter for attaching them to a photo tripod, which is a must to use them to their fullest, and a soft carrying case. But just because they are cheap doesn't always mean they are worth the price. Would it be better to save up for a more expensive pair? To find the answer, I had an opportunity recently to judge the SkyMasters against a pair of Fujinon 16x70 FMT-SX binoculars , one of the finest pairs of giant binoculars sold today. Like the SkyMasters, the Fujinons feature BaK-4 prisms, but also have fully multicoated optics. As a general rule, superior coatings mean superior image sharpness and contrast. But then, that should be expected, given that the Fujinons cost many times more than the Celestrons. While the Fujinons were clearly the better performer, the Celestron SkyMasters held up admirably. Image brightness, quality, and contrast were all remarkable considering their bargain price. Although images were a little soft across the outer 25% of the Celestron's field, the overall view was impressive nonetheless. Some inexpensive binoculars have very sloppy focusing, causing the eyepieces to tilt and shift. Not so with the SkyMasters. I found that their center-focusing mechanism worked smoothly, with no apparently backlash or wobble. Eye relief (the distance you hold your eyes away from the eyepieces to see the full field) is stated to be 18 mm, a good distance for higher power binoculars and an important consideration if you must wear glasses when viewing. The SkyMasters are also light enough to support by hand for short periods of time, although buyers would be well advised to mount them on a sturdy photo tripod. The bottom line is, if you are considering a pair of giant binoculars, whether for bird watching, stargazing, or another recreational use, and have a limited budget, Celestron's giant 15x70 SkyMasters represent an excellent value. --Phil Harrington, author of Star Ware and Star Watch Pros: Exceptional value for the price Light enough to support by hand BaK-4 prisms Multicoated optics Cons: Outer 25% of the field is soft and a little blurry Requires a tripod to use for extended periods Features
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BUSHNELL 730132P TROPHY 1 X 32 RED DOT RIFLESCOPE
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DescriptionTrophy Scope.Engineered with Amber-Bright optics that quickly help you distinguish between a brown tree and a brown critter, the Trophy riflescopes have been heralded by hunters as the ideal scope for the autumn deer woods. With multi-coated optics for increased brightness in low-light conditions, the avid inner hunter in you will be most satisfied. No question about it, they're designed to excel during the day's most important times. Features: -Fully coated high-contrast Amberbright optics provide increased contrast and image brightness for hunting all day. -Wide angle field of view for fast raget acquisition. -Fast focus eyepiece for maximum clarity. -Finger adjustable and resettable 1/4 MOA or finer windage and elevation controls. -One-piece body tube for durability and reliability. -Waterproof and fogproof. -Easy-to-use power change ring for all-weather use. -Heavy-duty spring clip assembly for enhanced accuracy with all calibers. Special Features: Illuminated red T-dot reticle and 1x optics for fast target acquisition in low light. Built-in mount for Weaver-style rail. -Actual Magnification: 1X -Objective Lens Aperture: 32mm -Reticle: 3 MOA Dot, T Dot -Finish: Black Matte -Field of View @ 100 yards: 44 ft. -Weight: 15.6 oz. -Length: 13.7" -Eye Relief: 3.3" -Exit Pupil: 32mm -Click Value @ 100 yards: 25" -Adjust Range @ 100 yards: 70" - Dry Nitrogen filled1x32 MP Red Dot Features
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Starry Night Pro 5.0 Astronomy Software Win/Mac
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DescriptionStarry Night Pro 5.0 is an amazing tool for anyone with a fascination for space. It's as close as you can get to owning your own planetarium! It's user-friendly enough for the backyard stargazer but powerful enough for a serious astronomy student. View the stars from your exact location on Earth or any other planet. Explore a database with millions of celestial objects -- all available to you, for exploring the mysteries and wonders of the universe. Travel through 200,000 years in minutes -- find out how the universe will look far in the future Put more power and knowledge in your hands than even the world's most pre-eminent astronomers had just a few years ago with Starry Night Pro 5.0. Now you can see how the sky over your house looks right now, or use it to see how the sky will look tonight, tomorrow or far into the past or future. You can even change your position and see how the heavens appear from the other side of the earth, or from other planets. Escape the Milky Way. Pilot your own spaceship to explore 700 million light years of space. Select from dozens of deep sky databases for the celestial objects and galaxies you want to explore. Easily observe Mars in the field using data from the built-in Ephemeris Generator. Stunning views from a variety of celestial bodies are just a few clicks away; witness a total eclipse from the Moon, watch the Sun set from the surface of Mars, or even ride a comet. Starry Night Pro is also a valuable educational tool with more than 100 interactive, multimedia tours that reveal the fascinating science and history of stars. An elegant, easy-to-use interface lets you quickly tap into a new and improved suite of features. With Starry Night Pro, the only limits are your imagination. With access to 16 million stars and 1 million galaxies, an enhanced SkyCalendar, a built-in Ephemeris Generator, computerized telescope control, and advanced observation aids, this version of Starry Night Pro is packed with new features that make it a must-have upgrade. The SkyCalendar is now seamlessly integrated with the observation planner and logs so you can more easily plan and record your stargazing sessions and receive alerts about upcoming celestial events. High-precision satellite tracking makes it easy to identify orbiting objects while the built-in Ephemeris Generator lets you calculate the position of heavenly bodies at a time of your choosing. Meanwhile, high-resolution illustrations let you enjoy panaramic views of your favorite constellations. You can also choose horizon panoramas to simulate surface conditions on earth or other planets and moons. Lastly, a new joystick-supported spaceship mode lets you maneuver around the Universe freely and expansively. Use this tool to see the sky from any location in the universe up to 700 million light years away. Starry Night Pro is more than just a desktop tool for observing the heavens. You can control most computerized telescopes from popular manufacturers, allowing you to align your computer star maps with your telescope's viewfinder. You can even customize Starry Night's field-of-view indicators to match your telescope's eyepiece. A host of great activities await you when you have such powerful software at your fingertips. For instance, you could plan a night under the stars with the observational planner, track the sky with your telescope, and store comments and images on individual targets in Starry Night's observation log. And when the sun comes up, you can still enjoy the heavens by printing full sky (180-degree) star charts of any area in the sky. If you're looking for educational tools, Starry Night Pro delivers. Call up more than 100 multimedia tours to deepen your exploration and understanding of the universe. Enjoy high resolution exclusive constellation illustrations and images from the Hubble and Spitzer Space Telescopes, as well as the Chandra X-Ray Observatory. You'll also get a library of imagery that lets you zoom in and explore the surface of Mars and Earth in unprecedented detail with new higher resolution surface maps. There's even a dictionary of common astronomy terms, plus a Record Holders database of astronomy trivia. And with an Internet connection you can direct Starry Night to send you automatic updates about new discoveries and orbital data of satellites, comets and asteroids. Features
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